More Fun With Pasta…

Posted: March 21, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Arts and Crafts, Fun Activity | Leave a comment
Second batch of dyed pasta. So much more color. Finally got it down. Take one Tupperware of colored pasta:
Six gold bells:
Hide the bells in the pasta. Have kiddo search using tongs. Tyson enjoyed for a good thirty minutes (aka an ETERNITY in toddler time):

I found some really fun cardboard cut out shapes at Michael’s. Tyson asked for the robots and rockets. He enjoyed gluing the pasta shapes onto the robot. As well as coloring it with his crayons. A fun indoor, QUIET activity:

Working really hard. Trying to avoid any glue touch-age on the fingers:

“Mommy, I did it. Ta DAAAA!!”

Rainy Day Fun- Colored Pasta

Posted: March 13, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Arts and Crafts, Fun Activity | Leave a comment
I came across a Mommy Activity blog that mentioned dying pasta for color sorting and crafty endeavors so I gave it a go today. Ty LOVED it though my first batch of pasta was a dud. I didn’t leave the pasta soaking long enough and made too big of a batch. I figure we’ll use this pasta for future craft projects:
Tyson didn’t seem to mind the dud batch. I gave him cups and tongs for sorting along with two big bowls and a cupcake pan. He played with this off and on all day:
I will be making a trip over to the local teacher resource store to pick up a smaller set of tongs for him but he enjoyed trying to work the big ones (though difficult with the small pasta):

Lesson learned- smaller batches, soak longer…much richer color on the pasta. I will let it dry overnight and the new and improved batch should be ready first thing in the morning:

Las Vegas

Posted: March 11, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Jake, Tyson | Leave a comment

Being the amazingly devoted basketball fan that I am (read: no way I would let my husband enjoy five days and four nights of uninterrupted sleep in a blissful hotel room by himself), the boys and I decided to join him on his last work trip to Vegas. Tyson couldn’t stop talking about going on an airplane and was so so so excited. BOTH boys were amazing on the flight. Ty took in the sights and watched the portable DVD player. Jake slept. Waiting to board the plane:

Our first night there we walked the Strip with the boys. They literally sat on the edges of their seats and took in all the lights, sounds, and overall craziness that is Vegas. Both boys were absolutely amazed by the Bellagio water show and Mirage volcano. As we walked down the street, Jake would dance as he heard music coming from various hotels and casinos which garnered us many smiles and laughs from the strangers walking by:
Our first full day in Vegas, the husband was stuck in meetings all day so I took the boys to the Lied Children’s Discovery Museum. It is a cross between our local Studio Grow and the Exploritorium. The bottom floor was very much like Studio Grow: a play construction area, an infant crawl and shape sorting area, a drawing/craft room, a bubble/water play area, and a big room that resembled a small town- bank, auto shop, grocery store, airport, hardware store. Tyson had a great time working the assembly line and passing the blocks down to Jacob waiting at the end:
There was just as much for Jake to enjoy as Ty…which is rare. And I had to get a picture of Jake’s outfit. Still one of my all time favorite outfits…I am sure one day the boys will hate me for the number of pictures of both of them in it. It’s okay. Doesn’t bother me. They both look so darn cute:

The air pipes. Put ball in and it zips up the pipes. The boys played here for a good ten minutes:

Similar exhibit to the one above only the air shoots out of the cone. Jake couldn’t get enough:

For PopPop, check out Ty’s pipe building skillz. Not bad:

Jake enjoying the infant play area:

Not enjoying my impromptu photo shoot:

Water play. Put the plastic dividers in and watch the boat go:

Hehehe. Ty trying SOOOOOOO hard to blow a big bubble…

And he finally got it:

Jake working the airport luggage station. Take luggage off. Put luggage on. Take luggage off. Put luggage on. Apparently, a thoroughly entertaining exhibit for a one year old. Note Ty’s absence. He wasn’t interested in the least:

He was busy fixing cars in the Auto Shop. Every time you work the drill correctly a loud sound came out of the car. He LOVED:

Practicing car maintenance:

Upstairs on the science floor. Learning about gravity:

And nutrition. Match the food item with it’s proper food group:

Can you guess who was asked NOT TO CLIMB into the below exhibit? His name rhymes with Shyson:

Learning about music. A laser harp. My little music LOVER LOVED:

Trying to walk in anti-gravity boots. Harder than it looks. I think I may need to find a pair of these bad boys in Ty’s size. They REALLY slowed him down. Like really really slowed him down:

Back downstairs for one last loop. Enjoying the grocery store and it’s cash register…especially the button that made it *BEEEEEEP* *BEEEEEEP* over. And over. And over.

Meanwhile, Jacob enjoyed clearing the shelf entirely of all its contents:

Working hard to move the Lego blocks:

While Jake chilled in the front of the truck:

And knocked off Lego blocks whenever they got close enough…which eventually led to our departure:

While Jake napped, Ty hung out and watched movies:

Our second full day, Daddy was again stuck in meetings and we headed over to the Mirage Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat:

It made me a little nervous just how close we were to this big guy:

It was surreal how close we were to the dolphins. We could have literally reached out and touched them on a few occasions:

Jacob…trying to literally reach out and touch them:

There wasn’t a “show” but the dolphins are exercised every twenty minutes or so:

Again, so so so close:

Exploring the Venetian (read: buying Mommy a blended coffee from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf). Tyson LOOOOVED the gondolas. I told him to look at the boats and he promptly corrected me by telling me they weren’t boats they were gondolas. Excuse me.

Last full day. We headed over to the Mandalay Bay Aquarium. Tyson was absolutely beside himself with excitement. There was an underwater ship exhibit with floor to ceiling glass windows…and lots of sharks, big sharks, fish, and turtles. I think Ty sat in front of that window for a good twenty minutes:

And…enjoying the second half of the game from the best seat in the house. And enjoying the free popcorn. Cookies. Water. Snacks.

While traveling with two kiddos certainly posed its challenges- especially the logistics of getting two big suitcases, two carry on bags, two backpacks, two kids, and a double stroller from the car to the airport. From the airport to the hotel. We managed to figure it out and have a really really amazing trip.

First Birthday Letter

Posted: February 23, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Jake | Leave a comment

Dear Jake,

I have been trying to come up with the right words for this letter for the last couple weeks. I worried about how it would be loving a second child while I was pregnant but that all changed the moment I met you. My heart literally grew by two feet (hehehe. Totally cliche. Very Hallmark. But so true.) You instantly molded into our family and I can no longer remember what it was like without you here.

You have flourished. Grown into such a curious, silly, happy ONE YEAR old. You say “Mama” very clearly. Dada, baba. LOVE to show people your belly. And nose. And head. We are working on feet right now. You sign: more, please, milk, and are learning “thank you” and “all done”. You climb. Everything. Love to climb up the ladder on our play structure and go down the slide. Head first. While you often gravitate towards which ever toys your brother is playing with, you LOVE balls, trucks, and books. Particularly the touch and feel books. By far, your biggest love seems to be food or your binks. Followed closely by music- whenever you hear music you immediately stop what you are doing and dance. You haven’t been a fan of the car since birth, but I finally discovered that MUSIC was the answer to your happiness. Either Ty and I sing to you or we listen to the radio.

You are quickly outgrowing 12 to 18 month clothing and have already moved up to size 4 diapers. Your brother wears a 5. Right now. You seem to be completely content crawling everywhere. You take a couple steps here and there but no real walking going on. You much prefer to be carried. By mama. Everywhere. Slowly but surely your hair is getting curlier and curlier. I love it.

Your eyes. Your smile. Your curls. Make me smile. Your laugh brightens my day. When you stop what you are doing when I enter a room and crawl towards me, my heart melts. I love you more than words can express and am so grateful to be your Mommy. I am proud of all that you have accomplished in your first year and look forward to all the things that are to come…most notably sleeping entirely through the night. Like til, 8 am. On Saturdays and Sundays. And Mondays. And Tuesdays. And Wednesdays. And Thursdays. And Fridays.

I love you Jakey.
Happy Birthday Sweet Boy.

Jake’s One Year Montage

Posted: February 23, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Jake, Milestones | Leave a comment

It feels as though his first year really did go by in a matter of minutes…

http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=936c3ce2e45f93af9d9439

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Birthday Party for TWO

Posted: February 20, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Jake, Milestones, Tyson | Leave a comment
We had a party for the boys at Bounce U Superbowl Weekend *gasp*. I really can’t rave enough about Bounce U. We literally didn’t have to do any party prep. We just showed up…and had fun. Both bounce rooms were ours and EVERYONE looked to have a really good time. Grown ups included. The kids started the party off with a safety video. Tyson impatiently waiting for the fun to begin:
I definitely had just as much fun as the kiddos. Jake LOVED the slides and bouncers:
Climbing up each time was no joke. Especially when carrying a 24 pound one year old:
Did I mention the curly-haired-ONE-year-old LOVED each and every minute of it:

As did the super-excited-THREE-year-old Ty:

An attempt at a group shot. Note the one kid not cooperating. Shocking, I know:

Unfortunately, I couldn’t back up anymore and didn’t have a different lens…but a pretty good shot of everyone. Sorry, Orion for cutting off your cute little face:

Tyson’s favorite part- the birthday cake- or a new Lightning McQueen and Mater car:

Impatiently waiting for everyone to finish singing Happy Birthday…he desperately wanted his hands on those cars:

Jakey’s special egg-free cupcake:

Making a wish and blowing out the candles:

And a happy camper, finally:

Enjoying the goods:

Also enjoying the goods. Can you tell:

Thank you everyone for coming out on Superbowl Sunday to party with the boys. They are so loved. We are very lucky to have such wonderful friends and family.

Future Soccer Star

Posted: February 10, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Milestones, Tyson | Leave a comment
Tyson started Daddy and Me Soccer two weeks ago. It is likely the first of many more sporting endeavors to come:

Decorated Wooden Blocks- Finished

Posted: February 10, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Scrapbooking | Leave a comment
I finally finished the sets of wooden blocks for the boys. I found letters for Jacob’s and completed a new set of transportation themed blocks for Ty. They have all his favorite things: trains, trucks, airplanes, roads:

Before and After: A Visual

Posted: February 9, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Running | Leave a comment
A Visual of the Running Necessities Before the Kids and After
Because it’s quite comical…
BEFORE the kiddos, which in all honesty seems almost a lifetime ago, the absolute bare necessities I needed for a good run were my shoes and i-pod:
AFTER the kiddos the absolute bare necessities include: a sippy for Jake, a sippy for Ty, water for me, shoes for Jake, shoes for Ty, shoes for me, snacks for Ty, snacks for Jake, snack cup for Ty, snack cup for Jake, sweatshirt for Ty, sweatshirt for Jake, blanket for Ty, and a blanket for Jacob. Note the absence of the i-pod. For some reason I chose to submit myself to the whines, complaints, and fusses of unhappy children in the stroller. I tell myself I need to HEAR the surroundings though one day, I am sure, I’ll figure out that maybe drowning out said whines, complaints, and fusses may actually make the run more enjoyable:
And perhaps the biggest difference BEFORE and AFTER- the Beast (aka the double jogger) loaded and ready to go. Note to BOB: it would be nice if you had considered that those pushing a double jogger would likely have TWO water bottles of some sort for each kid. Therefore, it would be NICE if you could have added an extra slot for an adult beverage. ESPECIALLY as you charge extra for said holder after already taking one of my arms and a leg for the actual stroller. Just sayin:
My attempt at “in ride” entertainment: books, toys, more books
Snacks:
One kid loaded and ready to go. Bink bink: check. Book: check.
Second kiddo loaded and ready to go. Book: check.
And in the time it took to take one picture, Ty has decided he’s already had enough:
And as always, it’s downhill from here…and we haven’t even left the driveway yet:
Having spent the better portion of the morning packing up for the run and preparing snacks, we still headed out. Ty was miserable. He read each and every one of the books. Ate snacks. And suffered through a 2.5 mile run. I cursed myself the entire way…between snack refill stops. Dropped toys. Book handovers. Binky recoveries. Blanket slips. Fire truck sightings…and subsequent barrage of questions. Dog sightings. Whines. Fusses. I often see moms running on the trails with kids in strollers. THOSE kids are sitting happily. No toys. No snacks. Often a blanket. But I hear nothing. No whining. No complaining. No crying. ?!@#$

Consolidating…

Posted: February 8, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Running | Leave a comment

I bid farewell to my Scrapblog. It is hard enough keeping up with ONE blog, let alone two. AND I have started, like *just* started, a NEW blog with some girlfriends and am SUPER proud of it. I am super proud of us and can’t wait for the running adventures ahead.

Check us out:
Eat? Sleep? Shower?…Run?

If WE can do it…anyone can.

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